Time Management and Fitness for Frequent Travelers

No matter how well you do at establishing a healthy routine at home, travel can make a healthy lifestyle difficult. Research indicates that frequent travelers tend to have poorer overall health than those who stick closer to home. Furthermore, those who spend 20 or more days per month traveling have far higher obesity rates that those who travel for less than a week each month.

Fortunately, you can take steps to keep yourself healthy no matter how much you travel. All you need to make sure you get good exercise when traveling is a little advance preparation and some self-awareness.

Before you leave for any trip, do a little research about your destination. Learn what fitness amenities hotels in the area offer. If you are responsible for booking your own accommodations, pick a hotel that offers amenities that suit your fitness preferences. On my most recent vacation to Maui in Hawaii I was able to book a great hotel by simply researching on the Internet. I found a list of Maui hotels where I could scroll through and see which amenities offered were the best for my needs. Some hotels offer running trails for guests. Others have fitness sessions for guests or in-room yoga and fitness videos. If you belong to a health club, find out if you can gain access to a gym where you will be staying.

When packing, be sure to bring along loose, comfortable workout clothes. Also, take your water bottle along because staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects of fitness. Finally, consider packing portable fitness equipment such as an exercise band that will help you get a powerful workout in limited time and space.

En route to your destination, be sure to get a little exercise in your seat. Doing basic in-flight exercises will help eliminate common discomforts such as stiffness, cramping and swelling. Simple ankle rolls, shoulder shrugs, knee lifts and side stretches will make a big difference on how you feel on arrival.

During your trip, be realistic about your personal fitness. You probably won’t get a chance to work out for an hour or more each day. You can, however, take advantage of the time you have to maximize your personal fitness. Little things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator will help burn calories and keep your metabolism up. If you have a particularly busy schedule, take advantage of short breaks between meetings to burn off a few calories with some sit ups, pushups, lunges and basic stretches in a restroom or secluded spot. By being mindful of your opportunities, you can succeed at maintaining your personal fitness wherever you go.